The Garden in Spring 



which, whether from the botanical or the 

 picturesque point of view, is one of the most 

 interesting in Madeira. The wealth of fern 

 life in this gorge is something almost in- 

 describable. 



At a lower altitude on the north side of 

 the island banks and walls will be found full 

 oi Asplenium furcatum growing side by side with 

 the ivy-leaf fern ; and on the coast itself the 

 sea spleenwort flourishes everywhere. 



In all there are about forty species of ferns 

 found in the island ; of these three are peculiar 

 to Madeira, and five to the North Atlantic 

 islands. A full account of them may be found in 

 Mr. Yate-Johnson's " Handbook to Madeira," 

 with some indication of the localities in which 

 they may be looked for. 



Some slight knowledge of ferns undoubtedly 

 adds great interest to a country walk. It would 

 almost seem that they have an eye for the 

 picturesque. I have noticed in this and in 

 other countries that the finest ferns are often 

 to be found amid the finest scenery. 



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